It snowed enough to keep them at the cabin for five days. The sun had come out, true, but the snow was still heavy, and Josh told her it was too risky to try to go back into town on horseback.

She knew it wasn’t true, though. He was just looking for an excuse to keep them alone, and together, for as long as possible. And that was just fine with her. They made love every night, and almost every afternoon. Her body was pleasantly sore, and she welcomed each thrust that he gave her.

But on the sixth day, it ended. Early in the afternoon, Ben showed up, with Win riding beside him.

“You need to come back to town,” he said once they were inside. “Sorry.”

Josh nodded in regret and turned to Sarah.

“Is my father very angry?”

“He’s livid,” Ben replied. “But we didn’t tell them where you were. They think you’re in Denver, and they’ve hired private detectives to search the city to find you. One of them figured out that you’d never left the area. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was right behind us, that is if he followed us here.”

Sarah ran to the window and looked out. There were only two horses, and she didn’t see anyone in the trees nearby.

“It’s too late for an annulment,” Josh said. “We’ve made sure of that.”

Sarah blushed furiously at his words, happy that her back was to the room so she couldn’t see the looks on the faces of her new brothers-in-law. It would be much too embarrassing. Finally, she turned to them.

“Is Earnest with them?” She hated the thought that she had hurt him. After all, he was just a pawn in her father’s scheme, just as she was.

“Yes,” Win said. “He’s actually a fairly nice man. And, well, he and your Aunt Becky have taken a shine to each other.”

“What? Taken a shine as in, married shine?” She stared at them, her shock evident.

“Looks that way,” Win said, his amusement evident. “I never thought I’d see the day Becky would fall for someone, but she seems to have done it now. And he’s very happy to welcome her advances.”

Josh’s laughter filled the room. “Becky’s doing the chasing?”

“She’s the one who made it clear that she liked the idea,” Ben said. “Which, I believe, made your father all the madder, Sarah. At first we thought that maybe she was just trying to take your place, you know, to lessen the consequences of your broken engagement with him. But it soon became quite apparent that they liked each other. A lot.”

“But Becky’s lived in Mac’s Crossing for the last thirty years,” Sarah said. “Surely she wouldn’t leave.”

“I think she will,” Ben replied. “I’m pretty sure that’s the plan right now. I heard her say something to your mother about her letting you and Josh live in her house, that it would be a better place for you to raise children than above the store.”

Sarah stared at them, her heart in her chest. “Becky’s going to get married? She’s going to be mother to those three children? I thought Becky would never marry again. She’s been a widow for so long.”

“I think it’s fantastic,” Win replied. “She’s happier than I’ve seen her in years.”

Sarah laughed, and ran to Josh, hugging him tightly. “That means my father has no reason to try and break us up.”

Ben cleared his throat. “Not exactly.”

“What?” She turned back to him.

“Your father is alleging that Josh kidnapped you against your will. As I said there are several detectives searching for the two of you. When they find you, there could be trouble. That’s why we came out. As soon as the snow would let us, that is.”

Ben winked to let them know that the snow hadn’t slowed them down at all. They’d just used it as an excuse to give the newlyweds more time alone.

“What does that mean?” Sarah grasped Josh’s hand.

“It means he’s going to have him arrested,” Ben said. “I told him I wouldn’t do it, so he brought a territorial marshal from Denver with him. He’s staying at the boarding house right now to clear things up.”

“But it’s not true,” Sarah said. “Josh didn’t force anything on me.”

“We all know that,” Win said. “But I wouldn’t put it past your father to try and bribe the marshal into taking Josh to Denver and trying to make him stand trial. He’s furious with you for going against his wishes.”

Sarah felt her perfect world crumble around her. She’d thought that once they were married her father would see that they belonged together. And now that Becky was falling for Earnest, then things should have been perfect. She sighed heavily.

“I guess since Earnest and I didn’t get married my father didn’t get his large promotion.”

“No, actually, he did,” Win said. “But I think he thought to use your marriage to the best of his advantage in the future, too. Now he can’t do that, and he’s not a very happy man.”

Sarah leaned into Josh as he pulled her close. He nodded at his brothers and they said something about “Being outside for a few minutes”, and then left. He turned her toward him and cupped her face.

“Didn’t I tell you that I wouldn’t let anything come in between us?’

“Yes, but what if they try to send you to jail?”

“For what? Your father’s angry, true, but Sarah, we have witnesses that watched us get married, not the least of them being a preacher who would never lie. You are my wife, and it is legal and binding. Don’t you trust me?”

She paled at the look of hurt on his face. “Of course I do. But I’m so frightened.”

“Don’t be. Just remember that we are together because we want to be, and nobody can change that.”

Sarah could see Becky’s happiness the minute she stepped into Win’s house. The place was packed, not only with MacAllisters, but with McKays. Becky sat near Earnest, their gazes fixed on each other.

Sarah scanned the room and found her mother, sitting across from her father, her back ramrod straight. Her eyes bore holes into her daughter as Sarah and Josh moved into the room. Her father stood and turned toward her, his face red with anger.

“You are a disgrace,” he said when she neared him. “How dare you embarrass me?”

“My marriage shouldn’t be about you, Father. I love Josh and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Josh stood next to her, his arm placed protectively around her shoulders. He stuck out his right hand toward her father, but her father ignored it.

“You will come back to St. Louis with us and I’ll see to the annulment. Perhaps I can find a man who will take you, even though you’re ruined.”

“She’s not ruined,” Josh said. “And there will be no annulment. She’s my wife until death do us part.”

Sarah swallowed hard at the angry look her father gave Josh. His eyes turned cold and he turned his gaze toward a man Sarah didn’t recognize.

“This man kidnapped my daughter, and then raped her. Arrest him.”

Sarah gasped. “It’s not true! We’re married. Father, how could you do this to me?”

The man stood and took a bite of the sandwich in his hand. He looked at her father, and then at Josh, then swiveled his gaze to Ben.

“Where’s the preacher?” His voice was deep and Sarah shuddered.

“What does it matter?” Her father shook his head. “She is my daughter.”

“She’s a grown woman,” the marshal replied. “If she was married by a preacher, and she refused to come with you, then I’m afraid I have nothing to arrest the man for. You can’t arrest someone because you’re mad at them. Plus, you didn’t tell me that she’s well into her twenties. You made it sound like she was a teenager.”

“Her age doesn’t matter.”

“I’m afraid it does,” Ben said. “For one thing, Sarah has lived in Mac’s Crossing with her aunt for the past five years, give or take a few months. That means that she’s not under your thumb, as you would want her to be. There’s really nothing you can do about the situation. Secondly, she is legally married. The preacher’s on his way here, right now, to attest to that.”

The room grew quiet and finally, Sarah looked at her father. “What are you worried about? My happiness? Or the fact that when you go back to St. Louis you’ll be humiliated because I didn’t do as you ordered?”

Her father lifted his hand to slap her, but Josh grabbed his arm. He opened his mouth, and then closed it when Earnest stood.

“Jacob. That’s enough.”

Sarah turned toward the mild-mannered man, who had sat quietly the whole time. He glared at her father, then he turned to her and smiled.

“I must say, I had no idea that you were in love with someone else. I apologize for what you’ve been through.”

“It’s not your fault,” she said softly.

“I feel like it is. I should have asked more questions, tried to get more information. But I’ve been a widower for so long, and you’re so lovely, I’m afraid I was swept off my feet.”

He turned to Josh and held out his hand. “You’re a lucky man and I wish the both of you years of happiness.”

“Thank you,” Josh said, grasping Earnest’s hand while keeping Sarah safely behind him at the same time.

“I’m so sorry, Earnest.”

His smile was genuine. “I’m not. Please don’t take offense at that statement.” He turned to Becky and smiled and Sarah realized that Ben had been right. Becky and Earnest were very attracted to each other. In fact, it looked as if it had been love at first sight.

Sarah smiled at her aunt, who beamed back at her.

The silence in the room grew thick, and then Josh turned to Mr. McKay.

“I hope this is the end of it, and that we can put this ugly situation behind us.”

“You’ve stolen my daughter from me and given me nothing in return. What do you think?”

Sarah’s heart sunk as her father’s words set in. “I’m sorry you weren’t paid for me, Father. Perhaps we can send you some money every month for a fee for your troubles.”

He looked at her, and she could tell that he wanted to reach out to slap her, but instead he swallowed hard.

“You may stay here. As far as I’m concerned, you no longer exist.” He marched toward the door, then turned. “Mrs. McKay. Come along.”

Sarah’s mother stood and walked after him, averting her eyes from her daughter, who called out for her.

When they were out the door, Sarah fought against the tears that filled her eyes. When Josh gathered her close, she could no longer fight it. They fell against his shoulders and he stroked her hair, whispering in her ear that he would take care of her, that he was her family now.

Sarah knew his words were true, but the loss of her parents hit her deeply. Even though she hadn’t lived with them for quite some time, the idea that she would never see them again hurt more than she could ever have imagined.

When she lifted her head from Josh’s shoulder, she realized that the room was empty except for the two of them.

“You know that I love you,” he said. “They’ll change their minds. They’re angry right now that you went against their wishes, that’s all. Your father still has his promotion, and Earnest has found himself a wife. Everything will work out, you’ll see.”

“But what if it doesn’t?”

“It will, my love. The first time they realize they have a grandchild they’ll be here, wanting to see him.”

“Or her,” she said, sniffling.

Josh laughed and kissed her gently. “Or her. Sarah, I love you. We’re together now, and that’s all that matters, right?”

She nodded, knowing in her heart that he was right. In her mind, however, her parents refusal of her hurt very badly. She wondered if she would ever see them again, or if they would allow her contact with her other family members.

It hurt to think that she would not be allowed to see her sisters, who were all younger than her, and all married already. Her eyes brightened when she realized that she was married, too.

Sometime in the future she and Joshua would have children, and they would be happy together. She swore that she would never, ever force her daughters to marry anyone against their will. Theirs would be love matches, just like she and Josh were.

“I don’t like it there. I want to move the bed nearer to the window.”

Josh put his hands on his hips and sighed as Corbin sat down on the mattress.

“Sarah, we’ve discussed this. I don’t want cold air from the window blowing on me while I sleep.”

“Then move it so my side is near the window. I like the cool air during the night.”

Corbin laughed and stood. “As much as I’d love to stay around and chat, I have a wife to go home to. Ruby says you’re invited to dinner, by the way. She figures you wouldn’t have time to cook seeing as how you’re getting settled in your new house.”

Sarah’s brow furrowed. “New house? I’ve lived here for ages.”

“Maybe you have, but I haven’t,” Josh said. “We’ve only been married a few weeks, and technically this is our new house, even though it’s really Becky’s old house.”

Sarah supposed that he was right. Still, everything had happened so quickly that it was hard to take it in. She and Josh were married, and Becky went back to St. Louis with Earnest when he left. She was living with Sarah’s parents, but Sarah knew that it wouldn’t be long before Becky, herself, was a newlywed.

It had been more than generous of her to deed her house over to Sarah and Josh. They’d stayed in his house above the store for a week, and it was small and cramped. Sarah knew that having as much space as their new house provided would be wonderful.

The last three weeks with Josh had been more than perfect. She hadn’t seen her parents before they left, and she supposed that was for the best. Josh was right, she knew. In time they would come back around and welcome her home again. Or at least she hoped they would.

Once she became pregnant, she wanted them to see her, so that her children could know their grandparents, no matter how badly they’d acted. They were still family.

Of course she’d wanted to be pregnant now, but she knew that she wasn’t. She’d been disappointed, but Josh had told her that it was all right. They had plenty of time to have babies later.

She closed her eyes and imagined herself holding her child. Josh’s child. At the beginning of the year she never would have dreamed that she would be where she was. When she’d come back to Mac’s Crossing she’d been afraid that she would be leaving it destined to marry a man she didn’t love.

But thanks to the power of Josh’s love, and his strong ability to make her see what was right, she was married to the man she loved, and she was living in a house of her own, left to her by the aunt who was marrying the man she had been originally scheduled to marry.

She stopped daydreaming long enough to tell Corbin that she would see him at dinner, then she turned back to the bed.

“We can move it together,” she said when Josh came back from seeing his twin to the front door.

“We have no need to move it,” he said. “I like it where it’s at.”

“Josh.” She pouted and stomped her foot. “Please?”

“Is that the way you’re going to try and get your way during this marriage? Because if it is, we need to correct the situation right now.”

She stomped her foot again, knowing that he meant he was going to spank her. She hoped it was like the spanking he’d given her right after their wedding. Her body still tingled with the memory of it.

She put her hands on her hips and sniffled. “I want my way.”

His smile made goosebumps break out on her arms.

“Is that right? Perhaps I should remind you what Mr. MacAllister does to pouty little girls, Mrs. MacAllister.”

She giggled, then lifted her skirts and took off at a run. He was right behind her, but he missed her in the doorway. She ran to the living room, coming to a halt when she realized the mess that was still in there.

Furniture from Josh’s house was piled in the middle of the room, and she wondered how she would get around it without Josh catching her. It didn’t take her long to realize that wasn’t going to happen.

She tried to get around the sofa, but Josh grabbed her from behind and she dissolved into laughter as he kissed her shoulder and hugged her tightly.

“Bad girl. You need a spanking.”

“No.” She laughed and pretended to fight him. “Josh! Stop it. This instant!”

Her laughter increased as he moved them back toward the bedroom, turning so that she was in the front. She didn’t fight him too much, instead she just laughed as he pushed her onto the bed and gathered her skirts above her rump.

“Stop it! You’re not nice to me. Ouch!”

He slapped her bottom, then pulled her bloomers down so that her bottom was bare. He slapped it again and again and Sarah started to moan, that wonderful feeling from before spreading through her.

“Josh.” The word was soft and she shivered as he continued to spank her, the swats landing in different areas, and making her swim with desire.

When she heard him undo his clothing, she moved up on the bed just a little, but stayed on her belly. She loved it when he took her this way, and she knew that he did, too.

This time, though, he stayed on his knees, and slapped her bottom the whole time he thrust inside her. It didn’t take either of them long to climax, and when he lay down next to her, she sighed in pleasure.

“Can we skip dinner tonight?”

“It wouldn’t be nice. Ruby’s gone to all that trouble. But if you’re a good girl, we can play again when we get back.”

“And what if I’m a bad girl?” She turned a playful grin on him.

“Then we can play harder.”

“Then I think I’m going to be very, very bad.”

October 3, 1892

“Did you pick up my good shirt from the cleaners? The one that still has all the buttons intact?”

Sarah turned from the mirror where she was fixing her hair, her eyes fastened on her husband. They were still newlyweds themselves and considered it a great honor that Becky and Earnest had asked them to be witnesses for their wedding. It was a greater honor still that they held the wedding in Mac’s Crossing, since the doctor wouldn’t let Sarah travel.

“Of course I did, Joshua. It’s hanging in the closet, along with the dress that I’ll wear. It’s much too soon to be worried about clothing. The wedding is not for another six hours, and we have time to relax for a little while, and get ready later.”

“I know. But I want it to be perfect.”

She smiled at him, then stood and walked toward him, wrapping her arms around her shoulders.

“Anywhere is perfect, as long as we’re together, remember? You told me those words when we married, and you’ve reminded me every day since then.”

“You’re right, I did. And you’re very right, it is perfect because we’re with each other.”

He kissed her gently, then patted her behind. He narrowed his eyes at her and cocked his head.

“You seem a little nervous, though.”

“I am. I hate it that my parents didn’t come, but still, I’m nervous that something’s going to go wrong at the wedding. For some reason I’ve just felt antsy all day long.”

Sarah sighed as he caressed her stomach, caressed the swell their child produced. She gasped as the baby kicked, then took Josh’s hand and settled it on her stomach so he could feel the next one.

“Oh, she’s so beautiful, and so is her mother.”

Sarah laughed. “What if it’s a boy?”

“No. It’s a girl, I can feel it. A beautiful daughter for me to care for.”

“A beautiful, large daughter for you to care for. The doctor says I’ve gained far too much weight.”

“You look perfect, and our child is perfect, so don’t worry about it one bit.”

“Yes, but the baby is not due until January, and I’m already as big as a house. I’d stay home if I thought it wouldn’t upset Becky so much.”

“You’re right, it would. So stop worrying, or I’m going to start a list of the number of spankings you’ll need after the baby’s here and you’ve recovered.”

She grinned at him, but she couldn’t help herself. They dressed quickly, and climbed into the carriage. Sarah wished her parents had come for the wedding, but she guessed that would seem too strange, since her father had been so set on her marrying Earnest herself. Besides, it made it so she didn’t have to endure questions from them about her pregnancy, about how large she was. She knew their first thought would be that she was pregnant when she got married, which wasn’t true, of course.

She knew that Becky had been surprised at her size, but hadn’t said anything about it. When they arrived at the church, her MacAllister sisters gathered around her, all of them wanting a chance to feel her belly.

The ceremony was beautiful, but Sarah’s nerves were so great that her stomach was in knots. Afterwards, at the dinner at Win’s house, she turned down food, even rejecting the cake. Right after Becky and Earnest left, she leaned into Josh.

“I want to go home. My stomach is a little upset.”

He nodded and they headed toward the door. They’d barely made it a few steps when Sarah doubled over in pain.

“Oh, Josh. Something’s wrong.” Pain gripped Sarah’s stomach as Josh grabbed one side, and Corbin the other. They carried her up the stairs and settled her into one of the many guest rooms in Win’s house.

Her contractions were minutes apart when the doctor arrived and gave her the news that threw her for a loop.

“Twins?”

“At least,” he said. “I’m sorry, Sarah, I just thought maybe you were further along than what you were telling me. I hope you have room in your house for more than one child.”

She looked at Josh, who held her hand close in his, squeezing it tightly. And then he fainted.

Jan. 1, 1893

Sarah stared at her daughters as they slept, their faces peaceful and sweet.

“Do you hear that?” Josh whispered in her ear as he came up behind her.

“What?”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” She laughed and slapped at him playfully. “You’re terrible.”

“Am I? I’m sorry, but they do make a lot of noise, you know, even if they are the cutest things I’ve ever seen.”

“They are, aren’t they? Michelle and Rachelle. So very beautiful.” She turned to her husband. “And where may I ask have you been? You’ve been gone all day, and I know the store’s not open because it’s New Year’s.”

“You’re right, it’s not. But I had an errand to run.” He kissed her gently. “Do you realize it was one year ago today that you came back from St. Louis and I almost lost you?”

“Yes. But that’s behind us now.”

“You’re right. We started anew, and I think it’s time for us to do it again.”

She stared at him in confusion. “New? I don’t understand.”

“The Lord always says, turn the other cheek.” He propelled her out of the room and into the living room. Sarah stopped short at the sight of her parents sitting on the sofa. Her father stood and wiped his hands nervously on his trousers.

“Sarah. Your husband suggested that we visit, and that we start anew. I can see by your face that you’re surprised to see us.”

“I am.” She smiled at her mother, even as she grabbed Josh’s hand. “But Josh is right. We should let bygones be bygones and start over. And to that effect, come and meet your granddaughters.”

She stepped aside and ushered them down the hall, and then she turned to Josh.

“Thank you.”

“Well, somebody had to do it, and it wasn’t going to be them. Happy New Year, baby. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” The sounds of Michelle’s cooing reached them and they headed down the hall, to usher in the New Year with their renewed family.